title: A potentially functional polymorphism in the promoter region of let-7 family is associated with survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The let-7 family plays a vital role in the normal cellular activity of liver cells and the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the previous study, we have detected the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of let-7 and susceptibility to HCC. However, it is still unknown whether these polymorphisms are associated with HCC prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the effect of two potentially functional SNPs in the promoter region of let-7 family, rs10877887 (T>C) and rs13293512 (T>C), on the overall survival of 331 HCC patients. Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used for the survival analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that HCC patients carrying the C allele of rs10877887 had a significantly increased death risk (adjusted HR=1.22, 95%CI=1.02-1.47, P=0.03 in the additive model), compared to those with T allele. In the stratified analysis, the risk effect was evident in HCC patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B (adjusted HR=1.24, 95%CI=1.02-1.51, P=0.03) and in those who received chemotherapy or intervention (adjusted HR=1.25, 95%CI=1.02-1.53, P=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that rs10877887 in the promoter region of let-7 may be a prognostic biomarker for HCC patients, which need the validation from other larger studies in different populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
authors.forename: Kaipeng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jibin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liguo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Hongxia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiangjun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: Zhibin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D035683:MicroRNAs; C487931:mirnlet7 microRNA, human
keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Let-7; Survival